Pewsey cyclist has a lucky escape

Incident date:

Wed, 11 Jan 2012

Cyclist Phyllida Simmons had a narrow escape from serious injury when she was the victim of a hit-and-run accident on a rural road in Wiltshire.

Her almost new £1,000 bicycle was caught under the front bumper of the dark-coloured 4×4 which failed to stop in the accident, last Wednesday. Ms Simmons, a physiotherapist who was cycling home to Pewsey from work in Tidworth, said she believed the front wheel of the utility vehicle went over her bike.

Miraculously, she suffered only minor injuries including a bump on the head and a knock on one knee. She was wearing a crash helmet and was otherwise unscathed. Her bicycle, however, was so badly damaged it was written off.

Two women drivers, one who lives in Everleigh and the other who was visiting relatives in the area, stopped to help. One of them took Ms Simmons to her home in the Ball Road area of Pewsey.

Ms Simmons, 41, has lived in Pewsey for two-and-a-half years and frequently cycles to her work at Tidworth rather than using her car.

Last Wednesday she was cycling home at about 5.30pm and said she saw a car approaching from the Pewsey direction.

She said: “I heard a screech of brakes behind me, which I knew was not good. I aimed for the grass verge and the next thing I knew I was flying across the verge. My bike was caught by the front bumper and it drove over it.”

Ms Simmons said she was surprised to find that, despite being sent flying by the car, she had relatively minor injuries.

“I was incredibly lucky,” said Ms Simmons, who added she was grateful to the two drivers who stopped to assist.

She said all she saw was a large, dark-coloured 4×4 which carried on towards Pewsey without stopping.
Ms Simmons said: “The driver must have known because they braked.

“ I heard the screech of their brakes before they hit me. I was sent flying over the handlebars and the impact damaged my bicycle. I was really shocked and angry and saddened that they did not stop.

For all they knew, I could have been left bleeding and lying in the road. They did not have a conscience, they did not care. I would like to say a great big thank you to the two lady drivers who stopped to help me, they were very kind.”

The bicycle was taken to a bike shop and Ms Simmons was told it was beyond repair. She reported the incident to the police.